The future of the cello holds many possibilities in materials and roles. In the materials area, polycarbonate is being used for the body of the cello, and for the bow, too. In the roles area, many composers are writing more and more cello solos, along with group pieces in which the cello plays the melody. Electric cellos have already been created, and digital-sound cello synthesizers improve by the day. The cello will probably still be a main orchestra instrument in the 21st century.